Why Do Good People Suffer? Series

In John 9, Jesus was walking along when he saw a blind man. His disciples asked Him, “Master who sinned? This man or his parents that he was born blind?” Don’t we sometimes think the same way? What did this person do to deserve their suffering? Pay attention to what Jesus told His disciples, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned that he was born blind, but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (John 9:1-3) We still make the same false assumption today.

Jesus asks, “Do you think those upon whom the tower fell were worst sinners than you? No!” That kind of thinking assaults our sense of fairness or justice. We think bad people should be the ones to suffer and good people shouldn’t. But that’s not the way it works. Let’s consider the title of this sermon again: Why do good people suffer? It’s actually not a very good question, because none is good in the first place! Once a man approached Jesus and called Him “good.” Notice Jesus’ reply in Luke 18:19: “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone.” The Psalmist says, “There is none good–no not one.” (Psalm 14:1) God is good all the time, but I don’t think any of us can claim that designation for ourselves. I’m a sinner saved by grace. We want to know why bad things happen to good people; we’re asking the wrong question.

The great theologian and writer, R.C. Sproul wrote, “In effect what Jesus was saying was this: “You people are asking the wrong question. You should be asking me, ‘Why didn’t that tower fall on MY head?’” (The Holiness of God, p. 161)

Maybe you’ve pondered the mystery of, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Have you ever stopped to wonder, “Why do good things happen to bad people–like me?” Suffering is no respecter of persons, at one time everyone will suffer–the good, the bad, the ugly.

In fact, the Bible promises those who follow Christ WILL suffer. But the good news is that any suffering we endure in this world is only temporary. The Bible says in Romans 8:17-18, “We share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Yes, we will suffer in this life–but this life is not all there is!

To understand this better, I’d like to quote the great theologian, Edith Bunker. Some of you remember the 1970s sitcom “All in the Family” that addressed every subject under the sun–and then some. On one episode they even addressed the reality of suffering and belief in God. Here’s the conversation:

Michael: “Tell me, Archie, if there is a God, why is this world messed up?”

Archie: “Why do I always have to give the answers? Edith, tell this dumb Polack why, if has created the world, it’s in such a mess?”

Edith: “Well, I suppose it’s to make us appreciate heaven better when we get there.”

In the midst of a funny show, the writers actually wrote something profound in the script.

Perhaps the writers wanted the audience to think most Christians were simplistic “dingbats” like Edith–but for whatever reason, I say, “good answer” to Edith. There will be NO suffering in heaven. Do you know for certain you’ll spend eternity there? Here’s how you can be certain.